Chelsea have gone through one of the toughest Premier League campaigns in the last decade last season when they finished as low as 12th in the top flight of English football. The fact that the team have scored no more than 38 goals in 38 matches says enough about a dismal run they’ve had throughout the entire campaign. The Blues were especially dreadful in the second half of the season when the fans and the experts believed in their success on the back of numerous costly signings during the winter transfer window.
espite the fact that Chelsea did not have the best 2022/2023 English Premier League season, there is no arguing that this team is special. The Blues are always one of the teams that people keep a close eye on because it has proven over the years that it can explode at any minute.
As expected, Chelsea made several interesting transfers for the new season because the team wants to ensure it will be competitive and live up to its fans’ expectations. The changes to the club’s squad are also important for people who like to bet online because they are interested in learning the latest details about some of the top EPL clubs. Thanks to the transfers and the fact that Chelsea has to change something in this season, those who go over the comprehensive overview of Betwinner will notice that the odds for this club are way higher than before. That’s one of the reasons why even people who’re not fans of Chelsea decide to wager on this club.
Not everyone will be interested in the markets and options offered for the specific team when talking about betting on Chelsea. Some people prefer to punt on different players, so let’s go over some of the names that iGaming fans can pay attention to and the potential markets they’ll have the chance to use.
Thiago Silva
When it comes down to some of the best center-backs in the English Premier League,e a lot of people will point out Thiago Silva. Even though the latter is 38 years old, many people consider him one of the biggest names in modern football, and he became a part of Chelsea in 2020.
Despite the inconsistent results from The Blues, Thiago Silva was always one step ahead of the competition. He was one of the team’s best players and also had a very important role in Brazil’s performance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
People who decide to wager on Thiago Silva will find a wide range of markets, especially if they pick a bookie famous for rewarding its clients. Despite his age, the Brazilian player oozes class, so you can expect to find a wide range of markets, such as goals, free kicks, tackles, cards, and more. Considering his age, the odds for some of the options will be much higher than you may think.
Wesley Fofana
The next name that a lot of online betting fans will be interested in is Wesley Fofana. He is also a Centre-back, but unlike Thiago Silva, the 22-year-old is a promising player that Chelsea will try to make the most of this season.
Fofana became a part of the club from London in August 2022 and made his debut in September. The player has a 7-year contract with The Blues and is yet to win an important trophy with the team.
Often regarded as one of the EPL’s best young players, Fofana will be one of the options that people will pay special attention to. Those interested in betting on him can expect to find all of the markets mentioned earlier, as well as more options.
Another thing that gamblers can expect to come across is special bonuses that will only be available if they wager on Wesley Fofana. The offers can include free bets and special odds if people decide to wager on one of the individual markets.
Enzo Fernandes
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar was one of the most interesting football competitions in years because we had the chance to watch many top players. In the end, Messi’s Argentina won the event, but there were a few youngsters in the team that shined, and one of them was Enzo Fernandes.
The 22-year-old was a part of Benfica, but following his impressive performance with his national team, Chelsea decided to pull the trigger and sign him for an awful lot of money. After joining in January of 2023, Enzo took part in many games, but what’s interesting is that Frank Lampard used him mainly as a defensive midfielder. However, in one of Lampard’s interviews, he said that Enzo has what it takes to be in a more attacking role, which means that we may see him in such a position in the 2023/2024 EPL season.
People who decide to bet on Chelsea and choose Enzo Fernandes will be happy to find a lot of new options. Since the player’s position is different than those mentioned earlier, we can expect more options for scoring goals or assists. Before choosing any of those markets, check his previous stats and make sure he’s in good form.
Romelu Lukaku
Even though Lukaku is probably one of the more controversial players that’s currently a part of Chelsea, no one can deny that he’s an impressive striker. Lukaky has been a part of the club several times, but he returned to Stamford Bridge after a transfer in 2021 after playing in the EPL around 10 years ago.
While it’s true that Lukaku wasn’t able to live up to the expectations because he did not score as many goals as fans expected, the 30-year-old has proven over the years that he can score. Therefore, most of the betting markets that gamblers will have access to while checking different online bookmakers will focus on them.
We also expect to find other types of options, such as boosted odds for a penalty or a free kick, because Lukaku is famous for being good at them. There might also be online bookmakers that can offer cashback bonuses for people betting on this player, which means they will get a certain portion of their winnings in case he does not score a goal.
Chelsea have sold over 10 senior players this summer, with more departures rumored to follow. Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival has not changed the club’s ruthless philosophy in the transfer market. The London club have opted to ship players out, before lining up replacements to take their place. This could have considerable impacts in the upcoming season and beyond.
Pochettino’s squad could be small in 2023/24
The start of the new Premier League season is a matter of weeks away, yet Chelsea still needs fresh recruitment. The midfield area especially needs to be addressed before the opening-day fixture against Liverpool. In the EPL odds, the most likely outcome is seen as a Liverpool triumph, offered at +145 at FanDuel.
OddsChecker has compared the odds available on a variety of sportsbooks ahead of the restart of the biggest football league in the world.
Chelsea have already spent over $100 million this summer, but considering their standards they are far from finished in the transfer window. The club will hope to add a number of signings prior to the visit of Liverpool, but the new coach will certainly start the squad with a relatively small and inexperienced squad.
The squad is stacked in the defensive areas, and there are plenty of options in attack. However, the midfield is far too slim for a team hoping to challenge for a place in the UEFA Champions League next season. Chelsea’s midfield currently consists primarily of development signings – players that the club will not be intending to rely on in the immediate future.
The West London club allowed senior midfielder Mateo Kovacic to join Manchester City this summer. But surely the UCL winners’ interest in the Croatian, should have indicated that he had the quality to remain in Chelsea’s midfield plans.
Chelsea also allowed a couple of their long-term midfield stars to leave and strengthen Arsenal and Manchester United respectively. The club has certainly deployed a confusing strategy this summer. They have willingly sold their senior players to rivals and left themselves with a small selection in the midfield areas.
Aside from the impact of the departures on the mere numbers within the squad, Chelsea have left themselves with a lack of leadership and experience in terms of their technicians in the middle of the pitch.
🚨 Mauricio Pochettino is growing increasingly concerned with the lack of experience in the squad and the slow progress of signings. (@TomRoddy_) #CFCpic.twitter.com/dXRFwenXmi
Pochettino’s squad would have surely been better suited to maintain its long-term core and allow the new signings to be integrated into the squad with less pressure to hit the ground running.
Besides the quality and specific profiles that have departed Chelsea, the overall squad depth is a huge worry in general. If Chelsea are to face an injury crisis this coming season, they will certainly not be prepared for it.
Chelsea’s squad lacks experience
In addition to Chelsea’s senior midfield departures priorly mentioned, several other experienced stars have left the club.
Kalidou Koulibaly and N’Golo Kante departed to Saudi Pro League clubs Al Hilal and At Ittihad respectively. Both offered a huge sense of experience in the Chelsea squad, and their absence certainly won’t go unnoticed.
Thiago Silva represents the only true leader that remains in the Chelsea squad, the likes of Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, and Kepa Arrizabalaga have now emerged as some of the most experienced players.
Aside from Silva, Kepa is the only vocal leader within Chelsea’s squad, and the number one spot may not even be his next season. Developing players need strong tutorship around them in order to improve and excel on the pitch.
The Brazilian defensive legend could have a tough job on his hands, as he will be in charge of helping the inexperienced players by influencing the mental aspects of their game in the upcoming campaign.
Most top European clubs have experienced players in various positions throughout the squad. Chelsea will not have this in Pochettino’s debut season at the club. This is a huge risk, albeit it could allow natural leaders within the squad to step up.
Some players may not have the greatest experience in terms of professional minutes under their belt. However, some have a natural tendency to lead by example on the pitch and play with a level of composure and confidence that influences others around them.
Uncertainty over the starting goalkeeper
Chelsea has already sold Edouard Mendy to Al Ahli of the SPL this summer. This has left them with Kepa as the only senior option in between the sticks.
Kepa is a solid shot-stopper on his day, but there is a huge question mark over his consistency. The Spanish keeper is excellent when it comes to playing the ball out from the back. However, he is prone to mistakes when it comes to playing in the bigger fixtures.
Chelsea could potentially add another goalkeeper option in the market, although there has been a lack of names linked. Pochettino’s inexperienced squad vitally needs a reliable experienced keeper behind them.
The team’s defense especially is filled with players that are still learning their craft and polishing their skill sets in the early parts of their careers. The bare minimum for them to succeed would surely be a reliable goalkeeper backing them up, who instills confidence in them.
Chelsea lacks a prolific goalscorer
Romelu Lukaku has burned too many bridges at the club, and it looks certain that there will be a compromise found in order for him to depart this summer.
Another experienced frontman in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has also departed on a free transfer to Marseille.
Christopher Nkunku is the highlight of the offensive signings that have arrived ahead of the new league campaign. While he is a genuine world-class talent, he is more of a second-striker than an out-and-out forward that will score 20 league goals a season for the Blues.
Chelsea’s forward signings have all been brought in from other European leagues, and some even from South America. The fresh incomings are surely going to require a significant amount of time to adapt to the intensity of English football.
Across the range of attacking incomings, there is a theme maintained of raw talent, that is far from the peak of its development yet.
Chelsea are unlikely to harvest a regular goalscorer from amongst their new signings. Long-term the club may reap the benefits hugely of the recent signings. But again, their strategy in the transfer market is intriguing.
The club could have maintained the services of one of their experienced forwards. They would have a player to lead the team, that knows the Premier League well, and has a history of challenging for golden boots across Europe.
Lukaku is of course still on the club’s books, but the toxic relationship between him and CFC is unlikely to be resolved and he will surely depart. The club is set to gamble on their newly accumulated talents settling quickly into the league.
Chelsea struggled to score goals last season, as they averaged just a goal per Premier League fixture played. They have certainly added an abundance of offensive talent, but have taken a risk by not acquiring an attacking star that is in the prime days of their career.
Overall, Chelsea could have huge issues with squad depth, experience, and leadership over the coming season and beyond.
The club have taken huge risks in the transfer market, by willingly allowing long-term servants to join rivals and replacing them with players that are not proven in English football.
The approach to the transfer window this summer has certainly not been a pragmatic one under Pochettino, but perhaps the Argentine can surprise many next season, with his squad that is filled with huge potential, but lacks Premier League-proven talent.
Ticket prices to watch the reigning WSL champions are going up in time for the 2023/24 season. Perhaps understandably, this recent announcement has caused a stir among some supporters groups who feel the increase was unacceptably high. So, is this the case or will fans still get good value for money when watching Emma Hayes’ team?
The Blues have spent over £600 million on new signings since Todd Boehly’s takeover of the club in 2022. Given this fee – a club high – many have asked the question, how are Chelsea not breaking FFP?
Since Chelsea’s ascension into becoming one of the most-followed and successful English clubs of the modern generation, their local North West London derbies against two clubs in particular have become even more intense. These teams are Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, who are Chelsea’s rivals in the Premier League. Even if the Blues have a bad season, a manager can potentially still become a hero in the eyes of fans if they succeed in winning the derbies against the two main rivals.
This is undoubtedly Chelsea’s most fierce and intense rival. It dates back to 1909 when the clubs were known as West London Chelsea and North London Tottenham Hotspur respectively. Since then, the clubs have gone on to play each other more than 160 times.
Dating back to the 1967 FA Cup final which Spurs won 2-1, the clashes between the teams have been attracting massive audiences. The 1967 FA Cup final has since become known more well as the “Cockney Cup final” and more than 100 000 people were in attendance.
As a result of the intensity of the rivalry, violence among fans was never rare.
A poll conducted in 2012 suggested that fans of Chelsea considered Tottenham to be their most bitter rival.
An important match between the rivals also took place in the 1974/75 season. Both clubs were battling relegation from the old First Division. Spurs won the game 2-0. Chelsea were subsequently relegated from the First Division while Chelsea stayed up, with a single point saving them. The win over Spurs helped the Blues stay up that season.
This rivalry become especially intense since Roman Abramovich acquired ownership of Chelsea in 2003 and transformed it into being one of the best teams in English football. Overall, Arsenal have dominated the rivalry though they have become more evenly matched over the last 20-years which coincided with Chelsea’s rice to prominence.
After Abramovich’s Chelsea revolution, Arsenal had to wait almost 20-years (until the 2020-21 season) in order to record their first league double over Chelsea.
Interestingly, Blues club legend Didier Drogba holds the record for the most goals in this derby as he found the back of the net 13 times in all competitions. The Ivorian’s first goal against Arsenal came in a 1-0 home league win during the 2005/06 season.
His last was in a 2-0 win over the Gunners, also in the league back in October 2010. There is data to prove that hatred between the clubs has grown significantly higher over the past two decades.
The clubs had never really considered each other as primary rivals. According to a 2003 internet survey, Arsenal fans had considered Chelsea as their third rival behind Manchester United and Tottenham.
Chelsea fans who responded to the same survey said that they never considered Arsenal as their main rival. By 2008, a survey done by Football Fans Census revealed that Arsenal fans hated Chelsea fans the most, even ahead of arch-rivals Tottenham.
Chelsea fans named Arsenal as their second most hated team, behind Liverpool, who are Chelsea’s rivals up north.
Chelsea has a longstanding tradition of producing talented players from different countries – and the Netherlands is no exception. Over the years, the Blues have seen several exemplary Dutch players who have left an indelible mark on both the club and its supporters. Let us take a closer look at some of Chelsea’s greatest ever Dutch stars.
When discussing Chelsea’s Dutch legends, one name that comes to mind immediately is that of Ruud Gullit. Joining Chelsea in 1995, this football icon from the Netherlands made an immediate impact with his skillset and creative play style; plus he had great leadership qualities both on and off the field. Versatility allowed Gullit to play as either midfielder or forward, while his elegant style of play captured hearts across London. During his tenure with Chelsea, Gullit played a crucial role in helping Chelsea win both FA Cups (1997) and League Cup (1998) respectively), earning him a special place in club history.
Another Dutch player that made an impact at Chelsea was Arjen Robben. Since joining the Blues in 2004, Robben quickly established himself as one of the greatest wingers in history with his impressive dribbling ability, speed and left foot precision. Throughout Robben’s time at Chelsea he won two Premier League titles, two League Cups and the FA Cup; earning him widespread acclaim as one of English football’s most exciting players. Chelsea fans still remember his electrifying runs down the wing and ability to create scoring chances with ease.
Ed de Goey was an important goalkeeper for Chelsea throughout the 1990s. Joining the club in 1997, he quickly established himself as their go-to choice due to his commanding presence in the penalty area, shot-stopping ability, and excellent distribution. De Goey played an integral role in helping Chelsea win both UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup 1998 and FA Cup 2000; earning him a reputation as one of Chelsea’s greatest ever goalkeepers.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was another Dutch star who enjoyed a storied career at Chelsea during the early 2000s. As an accomplished striker, Hasselbaink joined the club in 2000 and quickly earned himself fans’ affection. His powerful shots and goal-scoring prowess made him a constant threat to opposing defenses; ultimately leading him to score 69 goals in 136 appearances for Chelsea – making him one of their all-time leading goal scorers. His performances helped Chelsea qualify for UEFA Champions League competition while earning him the Premier League Golden Boot award during 2001-2002 season for his outstanding contributions.
Dennis Wise, though not originally from the Netherlands, had a remarkable career at Chelsea during the 1990s. A dynamic midfielder who joined Chelsea in 1990 and went on to captain them for several seasons, Wise earned praise for his tenacity, leadership abilities and goal-scoring prowess from midfield. His contributions in helping Chelsea win three FA Cups (1997), 2000 and 1998 were highly acclaimed by fans as well as football enthusiasts alike for his contributions and leadership on and off the field.
The Chelsea-Dutch Connection
Chelsea’s greatest Dutch players have left an indelible mark on the club’s history. Their skill, talent, and dedication have earned them widespread admiration from fans around the world and helped shape Chelsea into what it is today – a force to be reckoned with. Their contributions are undeniable; their accomplishments will be remembered for years to come.
These Dutch players have distinguished themselves with their versatility and adaptability, excelling in various positions on the field to show off their football intelligence and versatility. From midfield maestros to lethal strikers and commanding goalkeepers, these individuals have proven they can adapt to different roles with ease – making them invaluable assets to the team.
These Dutch players have not only achieved individual greatness, but they have been part of Chelsea’s most illustrious periods. They were instrumental in the club numerous trophies like Premier League titles, FA Cups and League Cups for the club; their performances have helped shape the Blues’ success both domestically and abroad, cementing their names in club history.
Chelsea has had a long and storied relationship with Dutch footballers. Their style of play, with a focus on technical ability, flair and attacking prowess, has often aligned with the Blues’ brand of attacking football. This has made Dutch players an ideal fit for the club and led to an impressive Dutch presence throughout Chelsea’s history.
Like any club, these Dutch players at Chelsea have faced challenges and obstacles along the way. Injury, form dips, and fierce competition for starting spots have been part of life but their resilience and determination never wavered. Through it all they have made significant contributions to Chelsea’s success; earning themselves a special place in its legacy.
Chelsea Football Club has been blessed with some outstanding Dutch players who have left a lasting legacy. Ruud Gullit, Arjen Robben, Ed de Goey, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Dennis Wise are just a few who have shown their skill, talent and dedication on the pitch to help Chelsea win numerous trophies and achieve success. Their versatility, adaptability and leadership qualities have made them invaluable assets to the team; their contributions extend far beyond their performances on the pitch; they serve as role models and inspirations to fans and teammates alike; their legacy at Chelsea will be remembered for generations to come.
Chelsea have had their fair share of German players in the Premier League era. We look at the greatest Blues from the four-time world champion nation to have played at Stamford Bridge, in our rundown of Chelsea’s best German players ever.
Since its founding by businessman Gus Mears in 1905, Chelsea Football Club has had a number of owners. Today, we take an extensive look at who owns Chelsea today, and explore the full history of the Blues’ ownership.
So far Timo Werner has struggled to score on a regular basis in England. The German joined the Blues from RB Leipzig ahead of this season but has not scored with the same regularity that saw him becoming a Bundesliga star.
Naturally, there are some reports suggesting that Werner could soon be on his way out of Stamford Bridge.
Should he end up leaving Chelsea, the following are candidates to replace him.
Sergio Aguero
The Argentine is set to leave Manchester City this summer. Aguero may now be 32-years-old but when fit, he is still a match-winner and world-class player.
He could still have a good 2-3 years of football left in him and with almost 300 Premier League appearances under his belt, he could bring in a wealth of experience to Stamford Bridge.
However, he is a Manchester City legend and so it remains to be seen if he will be willing to play for another club in England.
20-year-old Haaland is expected to go on and become a generational great whilst also challenging for the Ballon d’Or. Haaland averages nearly a goal per game for current club Borussia Dortmund and it is likely that he will end up leaving Dortmund at some point in the near future in order to play for an elite club.
Haaland could be the long-term solution to Chelsea’s number nine dilemma though he will not come cheap and the Blues will have to battle numerous other clubs for his services.
At nearly 28-years-old, Kane is now at the prime of his career and will not get any better. Though a world-class player, he has yet to win a single major trophy and it does not look like Tottenham will win a piece of major silverware anytime soon.
Now could be the right time for Kane to join another club.
Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard has issued an apology to football fans after appearing to be friendly with Chelsea players after Los Blancos recently lost their Champions League semi-final tie to his former club, Chelsea.
Hazard has been a flop at Chelsea
During a seven-year spell with Chelsea, Hazard established himself as one of the best players in the world. He won nearly everything there is to win in his time at Stamford Bridge, though the one major trophy which eluded him was the Champions League.
Hazard joined Madrid in the summer of 2019 and the reason that he left Stamford Bridge for the Santiago Bernabeu was to try and win the Champions League.
The Blues did not win Europe’s Premier Club competition during the Belgian ace’s time with them and largely struggled to reach the final stages of the competition since they won the tournament in 2012.
There is no doubt that the fact that Hazard is a former Chelsea and not doing well at Madrid would have infuriated fans of the Spanish giants.
To add to the frustrations of Madrid fans, they brought in Hazard as a direct replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo who departed the club in the summer of 2018 to join Juventus.
Hazard has done anything but be a replacement for Ronaldo and it is believed that Madrid will be prepared to now listen to offers for him this summer.
“I am sorry. I have read lots of opinions about me today and it was not my intention to offend any Real Madrid fans,” Hazard posted on his Instagram story on Thursday.
“It has always been my dream to play for Real Madrid and I came here to win. The season is not over and together we must battle for La Liga! Hala Madrid!”
His reputation would have taken a knock as a result of his troubled spell at Chelsea but at 30-years-old, Hazard could still have another 3-4 years of good football left in him. These days, many top-level footballers are continuing to shine in the mid and late ’30s as is the case with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Hazard is a player who is a generational great and there is every reason that he can emulate Ronaldo and Messi if he is mentally strong.
Since joining Real Madrid in 2019 from Chelsea, Eden Hazard’s career has undergone a downward spiral. He is a shadow of the player that he was at Stamford Bridge and at this rate, Madrid will just be hoping to offload him as soon as possible and cut their losses.
Could a return to Chelsea for Hazard be possible? More strange things have happened in football but given that he is now 30, it does not seem likely given that the club is historically hesitant to sign players over 30.
The following are two players whose careers also went downhill after joining Madrid.
Kaka
The 2007 Ballon d’Or winner joined Los Blancos in the summer of 2009 at a time in which he was regarded as arguably the world’s best player. In the heyday of his career which was his first spell with AC Milan between 2003-2009, Kaka famously played a starring role in helping Milan to win the Champions League and Serie A.
He was a shadow of the player that he was at the Santiago Bernabeu over four years and he ended up returning to Milan in 2013 after his spell with Madrid ended. Whilst his second spell with Milan was decent, he failed to emulate the kind of form which saw him win the Ballon d’Or.
The 2001 Ballon d’Or winner betrayed Liverpool fans for the first time by pushing for a transfer to Real Madrid in 2004 when he was regarded as arguably the best striker in the world.
Owen failed to settle in Spain and failed to find the back of the net on a regular basis in his one season in Spain, scoring 13 goals from 36 La Liga games.
After one season in Spain, he returned to England with Newcastle United in 2005. Injuries ended up curtailing Owen’s ability to showcase the type of form that he displayed en route to winning the Ballon D’Or as a youngster.
Throughout the years, Chelsea has had its fair share of Nigerian players, some of which such as Ross Barkley, Fikayo Tomori, and Tammy Abraham have Nigerian heritage but are thorough Englishmen.
This list will only include players who opted to commit their international careers to Nigeria.
3. Victor Moses
After some impressive displays in the Premier League for Wigan Athletic, Moses earned a move to Chelsea in the summer of 2012. His time at Chelsea has been an interesting one. Moses initially struggled to earn regular game time at Stamford Bridge, spending time on loan with the likes of Liverpool, Stoke City, and West Ham.
He was roped back into the fold by Antonio Conte and was a first-team regular for the club in the 2016/17 season as it won the Premier League title.
Moses remained a first-team regular in the 2017/18 season but fell down the pecking order again. Still contracted to the Blues, he is currently on loan with Spartak Moscow.
The 27-times capped former Nigerian international is another interesting character. He joined the Blues in 1997 from Anderlecht before it became a major force and remained on its books until 2005 and after the Roman Abramovich revolution.
Babayaro made 132 Premier League appearances for the Blues, helping it to win the FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup and UEFA Cup Winners Cup.
He perhaps was never appreciated the way that he should have been but Obi Mikel has to go down as a Chelsea legend. He spent nine years at the club, something not many players are able to do due to the extremely competitive environment which exists at Stamford Bridge.
At 34-years-old, Mikel is still active in football, playing for Stoke City in the Championship. It remains to be seen whether he can help the Potters return to the Premier League.
Tammy Abraham was a hit for Chelsea in the 2019/20 season as he went on to score 15 goals in the Premier League from 34 appearances, helping the club to attain a top four finish under Frank Lampard.
The 23-year-old’s second season with the Blues has not exactly gone to plan as he has struggled to score goals on a regular basis.
There is speculation that Abraham may be sold this summer in order to raise funds to invest in two new strikers.
Should Abraham leave, the following are some potential destinations.
West Ham sold Sebastien Haller in the January transfer window and did not bring in a replacement, meaning that Michail Antonio has essentially been their only recognized striker since then.
David Moyes has developed a reputation for getting the most out of his players, as he did with Jesse Lingard and with majority of the players in the Hammers setup.
Given that Antonio is injury-prone and now over 30, Abraham is almost definite to get regular game time if he moves to the Hammers.
Crystal Palace
With Roy Hodgson set to turn 74 this year and nearing the end of his contract, the Eagles will be expected to appoint a new manager soon with ex Chelsea boss Frank Lampard being tipped to potentially succeed Hodgson.
Abraham played brilliantly under Lampard last season and so could be tempted by a move to Selhurst Park if the latter ends up becoming Eagles manager.
Palace will also be expected to offload Christian Benteke in the near future and so may consider Abraham as a potential replacement.
Newcastle
Newcastle’s entire forward options have struggled to score regularly this season and Steve Bruce’s side must look to sign a new striker as a matter of priority next summer.
St James Park may offer Abraham a good opportunity to rebuild his career but the question is whether it will be a good environment for him to be in?
Frank Lampard was sacked by Chelsea earlier in this season after the club’s poor run of form. Lampard did show some signs of being a good manager. He led the West London club to a top-four finish in his first season at the helm of the club, despite its transfer ban.
However, Lampard’s lack of experience and flaws in terms of man-management eventually ended up costing him his job.
At just 42-years-old, it is unlikely that Lampard’s managerial career is over. The following are possible next destinations for him.
Roy Hodgson is set to turn 74 later this year and with his contract at Crystal Palace set to expire at the end of the season, it looks unlikely that the Eagles will retain him.
The Eagles have been underwhelming in the past two years and need a fresh start. Signing a manager like Lampard will be a good statement of intent from a club that should be aiming to finish strongly in the top half of the table rather than on the bottom half.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham are without a manager after recently parting ways with Jose Mourinho and Ryan Mason taking charge of the club until the end of the season.
After many years of underachievement, Spurs do need to appoint a high-profile manager in order to try and influence their star players into committing their futures to the club rather than seeking greener pastures elsewhere.
The Lilywhites could offer Lampard a good chance to rebuild his credibility as a manager.
Newcastle
Under Steve Bruce, the Magpies have continued to underperform, though it must be said that Bruce has never really been given significant funds to invest in new transfers.
Lampard joining the Magpies could present a fresh start for both manager and player. However, it may be a poisoned chalice.
Being London rivals, Arsenal and Chelsea have never had a healthy relationship. However, there has been a fair share of players who transferred between the clubs.
This list will take a look at some of the names who have donned the jersey of both Chelsea and Arsenal.
Yossi Benayoun
Benayoun arrived at Chelsea in 2010 but was hardly used by the club. Interestingly, Chelsea loaned him out to Arsenal (arch-rival) in the middle of his spell.
As a youngster, Diarra was in the Chelsea fold but failed to win regular game time. He was sold to Arsenal in 2007 and went on to spend just one season with the Gunners before transferring to Portsmouth.
Following a successful spell with Arsenal, the 1998 World Cup winner with France spent the final three years of his career at Stamford Bridge before hanging up his boots in 2004.
A controversial character in his playing days, Anelka played for many clubs in his interesting career with Chelsea and Arsenal being among them. Anelka came through the Arsenal youth ranks before transferring to Real Madrid in 1999.
He moved to Chelsea from Bolton in 2008 and went on to spend the four most successful years of his career at Stamford Bridge as he helped the club win the Premier League and two FA Cups.
Cole was part of the legendary Arsenal “Invicibles” side in 2004, helping Arsene Wenger’s side win the Premier League without losing a game. He lost the respect of most Arsenal fans by forcing through a transfer to Chelsea in 2006.
In his time at Chelsea, Cole won one Premier League, four FA Cups, one League Cup, the Champions League and Europa League.
Gallas’ transfer was similar to Cole’s in that it was controversial but in his case, it was the opposite way around and led to him losing the respect of Chelsea fans after forcing through a transfer to Arsenal in 2006, where he spent four years, failing to win a major title.
After establishing himself as one of the best players in the world at Arsenal, Fabregas left the Gunners to join boyhood club Barcelona in 2011. He spent three years in Spain before returning to England in 2014 with Chelsea where he would spend five years.
After 11 successful years at Chelsea, the Blues club legend left the club to join Arsenal in 2015. His transfer was not controversial as it was to get regular game time as a result of Thibaut Courtois displacing him as the Blues first-choice goalkeeper. Cech spent four years with the Gunners before hanging up his gloves in 2019.
Giroud’s transfer to Chelsea in 2018 was also hardly controversial. After six years at the Emirates, Giroud moved to Chelsea in January 2018 in order to try and get the playing time that he needed to win selection for France’s 2018 World Cup squad. He did just that, won the World Cup, and has been a valuable asset to the Blues dressing room.
Luiz has had an interesting career. After two spells with Chelsea, the defender joined the Gunners in 2019 where he has continued to show signs of brilliance, though ultimately proven to be inconsistent.
The most recent transfer between the clubs, Willian joined the Gunners from Chelsea in the summer of 2020. The Brazilian has struggled to find the net on a regular basis for the Gunners.
The goalkeeping department at Chelsea has been one of the problem areas for the club since Thibaut Courtois left the club in the summer of 2018 to join Real Madrid.
The club brought in Kepa Arrizabalaga as a replacement for Courtois for a world-record £71.6 million with the Spaniard largely failing to impress at Stamford Bridge. Following Arrizabalaga’s struggles for consistency, the club brought in Senegal international Edouard Mendy last September. Mendy has since steadied the ship somewhat though there is debate over whether he really is a world-class keeper.
It would be a good idea for the club to look at selling Arrizabalaga in the near-future in order to recoup some of the funds that they spent on signing him and also to bring in a new shot-stopper to the club who can challenge for the first-choice goalkeeping position. The Spaniard has clearly not been a fit at Stamford Bridge and he should be allowed to go and continue his career elsewhere.
If the Blues want to win he league in the near-future, they do need a world-class shot-stopper between the sticks.
The following are two such keepers that they can look at:
Jan Oblak
Oblak has been Atleti’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper since 2014 and since then, gone on to establish himself as arguably the best goalkeeper in the world.
Oblak has not yet hit the peak of his career as a goalkeeper and whilst he has gone well with Atletico, he may be tempted to play in the Premier League at this stage of his career.
Interestingly, Diego Simeone’s side brought in Oblak as a replacement for Courtois in 2014 with the Belgian having returned to Chelsea following a successful loan spell with Atleti.
Though just 22-years-old, it’s hard to believe that Donnarumma has more than 200 Serie A caps under his belt for AC Milan, yes that’s right!
Donnarumma is set to remain Italy’s first-choice goalkeeper for the far-future with 25 national team caps already under his belt. He is already a world-class shot-stopper and may become one of the world’s best in the next few years.
He could be tempted to join Chelsea with AC Milan having underachieved since he broke into the first-team back in 2015.
Chelsea will probably have to look at bringing in a new striker ahead of next season. The trio of Olivier Giroud, Tammy Abraham and Timo Werner have struggled to find the net on a regular basis in the league this season.
For a club to challenge for the league title, they should have a striker who is capable of scoring 25 goals per season. Whilst there are good arguments to keep Abraham and Werner in the future first-team plans, the same cannot be said for Giroud.
The 34-year-old has done his but for the Blues over the past three-and-a-half years but the reality is that it is now the time for Chelsea to cut their ties with him and let him spend the twilight of his career elsewhere.
The following are three strikers that the Blues can look at:
Romelu Lukaku
Since joining Inter Milan in 2019, Lukaku has firmly established himself as one of the top strikers in the world under former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte.
Now in the prime of his career, Lukaku may fancy a return to Stamford Bridge in order to prove that he has what it takes to be one of the best strikers in English football after all.
He was previously on the books of the Blues between 2011-2014 but failed to find the back of the net in 10 Premier League appearances for the club.
Manchester City announced recently that the 32-year-old will be leaving the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season. The Argentine club legend is past his prime and has since been usurped by Gabriel Jesus as City’s main striker.
Though past his prime, Aguero is still a clinical goal scorer and could have a few more years left at the highest level.
There is a good argument that the Borussia Dortmund striker is currently the best in the world. He would easily walk into the starting xi of any side in the world.
The question is whether Chelsea will have the funds to sign him because he will not be cheap.
Chelsea has had the opportunity to have some of the generational greats in their team over their years. Some have risen above expectations whilst others flopped.
This article will look at three generational greats who did not exactly captivate audiences regularly whilst playing for Chelsea.
George Weah
The current President of Liberia, Weah remains the only African footballer to have won the Ballon d’Or award, having done so in 1995 when he played for AC Milan.
In 2000, Weah joined Chelsea when he was 34-years-old on loan from Milan. He scored three goals for the Blues from 11 appearances but the club opted not to sign him permanently. He went on to join Manchester City permanently the following season and was last on the books of Al Jazira before hanging up his boots in 2003.
The Ukraine football legend and 2004 Ballon d’Or winner joined the Blues in 2006 after ending a successful seven-year spell with AC Milan.
He was one of the most feared strikers in the world when he arrived at Stamford Bridge and so there was a lot that was expected from him. He went on to yield a poor return of nine goals from 48 Premier League appearances for Chelsea.
Chelsea subsequently sent Shevchenko on loan to AC Milan in 2008 but he failed to find his feet there as well. He eventually returned to his homeland with Dynamo Kyiv in 2009 where he started scoring goals again before ending his professional career in 2012.
Prior to the emergence of Lionel Messi in the mid-2000s, it was Verón who was the most feared Argentinian footballer. Verón’s journey in England started in 2001 when Manchester United signed him from Lazio.
After failing to impress at United,he joined Chelsea in 2003. He failed again to impress with the Blues, scoring just one Premier League goal from seven appearances.
Legendary Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was recently sacked by Tottenham Hotspur, ending a 17-month reign in charge of the Lilywhites.
The 58-year-old will forever be a legend at Stamford Bridge after having led the Blues to three Premier League titles across two stints with the club, however, he will now find it hard to attract offers from elite clubs across Europe’s top five leagues following his last two spells with Manchester United and Spurs which were underwhelming.
The following are options that Mourinho could consider:
Retire
Mourinho has had a successful career, having won league titles in Portugal, Spain, England, and Italy. Prior to taking the Spurs managerial job, he worked as a pundit. If he wants to maintain his legacy as a manager, he could opt to now retire and work full-time as a pundit where his input will be valued.
However, knowing the personality of Mourinho, this seems unlikely. He will be keen to prove his doubters wrong by showing that he can still win silverware at the highest level. He is far from retirement age and could still potentially manage at the highest level for another 12-years.
Due to his legacy, Mourinho may still get offers from Europe’s top five leagues, though they will be unlikely to come from elite clubs such as Chelsea, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Liverpool.
He may attract offers from clubs with a similar status to West Ham and Southampton. The question is will he be willing to take charge of a club with a modest budget and work towards rebuilding his name as a manager?
Perhaps the time may be right for Mourinho to step aside from club football and venture into international football? If he does this, there will be no shortage of countries that will be keen on recruiting him for his tactical acumen.
Former Chelsea defender Wayne Bridge has said that he would love to see the Blues making a move for Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane.
‘I’d love to see Kane go there, I think he’s brilliant,’ Bridge told bettingexpert.com ‘Sometimes money talks. If you look at how Tottenham is doing at the moment, I think there’s a great chance he could end up leaving if he wants to go and win something. ‘I’m not sure if he would go, but I’d love to see him come in and start banging in goals for Chelsea. Chelsea has to be careful with who they buy but I’ll be very surprised if they didn’t bring another striker in.’
Kane may have to soon make a difficult decision
England captain Kane has been one of the best strikers in the Premier League and England’s best striker for more than five years. Though he has been committed to the Tottenham cause since turning professional as a footballer in 2009, he has yet to win a major trophy as the Lilywhites have not won anything since claiming the League Cup back in 2008.
With it looking uncertain as to whether Spurs will make the top four this season, time is now against Kane. He will be 28-years-old by the time next season comes along and is in the prime of his powers. He is not going to be getting better as a football at this stage of his career and so he really should be at a club where he can win trophies.
A move to Tottenham’s London rivals may be seen as a sign of betrayal to fans of Spurs. If there is one thing that is certain about Kane, he does love Spurs with all his heart. If he did not he would have left the club much earlier in order to win major silverware.
Nobody can really fault Kane for wanting to leave Spurs at this stage of his career especially when you take into consideration the state of his current club.
Should Kane make himself available, there is unlikely to be any shortage of potential suitors from within England and outside.
Some of the clubs that could be interested in his services outside England include Barcelona and PSG. It remains uncertain whether Kylian Mbappe will remain with PSG ahead of next season whilst the same applies to Barcelona ace Lionel Messi.
It’s well known that Nathan Ake and Declan Rice were two players who didn’t quite cut it with the Chelsea first-team from the youth ranks but have since gone on to have successful careers elsewhere.
This list will look at three former Chelsea players who have gone on to have successful careers but whom the club won’t really lose sleep over losing.
Neil Etheridge
The Birmingham City goalkeeper joined the Blues in 2003 when he was a center-forward before being asked to slot into goals. After spending three years with the Blues, Etheridge went on to play for Fulham in 2006 and launched his professional career at Craven Cottage two years later.
Though he has spent most of his career playing in League One and Championship, Etheridge did get his chance in the Premier League in 2018/19 with Cardiff City. He was unable to save the Bluebirds from relegation but was one of their best players as he went on to play in all 38 of their Premier League games.
King who was part of the Leicester City side that won the Premier League in the 2015/16 season joined Chelsea in 1998 when he was just nine. He left for Leicester City in 2004 and went on to remain with the Foxes until the summer of 2020.
Interestingly, King was part of the Leicester City side as they navigated through League One, the Championship, and Premier League. Not many players can say that they played for one club in three different divisions.
All in all, he made 379 senior competitive appearances for Leicester, chipping in with 62 goals.
Guðmundsson trained with Chelsea for a short time in 2006 but could not adapt to life at the club. He ended up joining Fulham that same year and remained with them for two years before moving to his native Iceland to launch his professional career with Breiðablik.
The winger earned a move to Burnley in 2016 after an impressive showing with Iceland in the European Championships held that summer and has never looked back as he has gone on to become a key player for the Clarets.
Chelsea is a club that demands the best from players so much so that you will more or less be out if you fail to adapt to Stamford Bridge quickly. Modern-day Premier League greats like Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Kevin de Bruyne learned the hard way at Chelsea. As youngsters, the duo failed to impress at Chelsea, ending up in Italy and Germany respectively before returning to the Premier League with Liverpool and Manchester City, going on to become modern-day greats.
There were some players who did enough to remain at Chelsea but did not do enough to be considered among the club greats. These are three such players from the modern era.
Joe Cole
Cole joined Chelsea from West Ham in 2003 and was seen by then manager Claudio Ranieri as a replacement for Gianfranco Zola.
Though he was most adept in playing on the wings, Cole was one of the best utility players that Chelsea has had in the modern era. He spent seven years at Stamford Bridge and went on to make 182 Premier League appearances for the club.
During his time with Chelsea, Cole won three Premier League titles with the club. However, as he played in the same side as the likes of Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, and John Terry, he was never really considered to be among the elite players of the club.
The midfielder joined the Blues from Benfica in 2010, spending six successful years with the club and winning every major trophy in football.
The hard-working Ramires made more than 40 appearances in all competitions in his first four seasons with Chelsea, which included a mammoth 62 appearances in all competitions in the 2012-13 season.
He had the ability to score some memorable goals and won Chelsea Goal of the year awards in his first two seasons with the club.
Perhaps no player is any more underappreciated in Chelsea history than Mikel who spent nine years at Stamford Bridge between 2006-2017.
Though best deployed as a defensive midfielder, the Nigerian played in multiple positions and never raised his temper. His professionalism for the team was admirable.
